GLORYING IN THE CROSS.

BY REV. N. F. REID, A. M.,

OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE.

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."-Gal. vi, 14.

There is an expression similar to this in the Epistle to the Phillippians. The Apostle, writing to them on the same subject, closes one of his arguments with the declaration, "Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord." We are liable to mistake the sense of the Apostle in the use of these strong expressions, unless we use some care to ascertain his true meaning. We are not to understand him that, abstractly considered, he regarded everything as worthless; by no means. His history and writings show that he placed a proper estimate upon the necessaries and conveniences of life; that he valued highly his friendships; that he prized learning and everything calcu lated to enhance our happiness here; but when any or all of these were compared with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, or contrasted with the benefits of the Cross of the Redeemer, they dwindled into insignificance.

In meeting the obligations of this hour, we propose taking up the theme of the Apostle, and shall undertake to present the Cross of Christ, in its power and attractiveness and blessing, as the object above all others which demands the highest place in the affections of every man. In doing so we shall also endeavor to follow the spirit of the text, by contrasting the Cross with the objects connected with and limited to this life, which constitute the chief glory of a large majority of our race.

Though happiness is the end proposed by each, no matter what may be the occupation or profession, or if none at all, yet it is a melancholy truth that the vast majority of mankind are in the road that leads directly from its attainment. Deluded by sin, they are follow